“Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Mikayla Matthews fired back at critics who dismissed her chronic skin problems as “just rashes,” sharing how her health struggles have affected her mental and physical life since childhood and worsened after breast implants
Mikayla Matthews didn’t hold back on Instagram.
On Thursday. the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star joined a new “drag path” trend. where users spotlight moments or objects that left a lasting mark—usually tied to grief. trauma. or turning points. For Matthews, the path runs straight through chronic illness. She posted a series of photos and videos documenting skin issues she’s lived with for years.
Matthews, 25, said she has faced chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS), describing it as an “innate immune dysregulation” that involves “a range of symptoms that simultaneously [affect] multiple organ systems,” using language drawn from the National Library of Medicine.
But what she wanted most wasn’t just sympathy—it was for people to stop minimizing what she says has been devastating. In the caption, she wrote: “A drag path…but it’s the 4 years of joy and time with my kids I was robbed of going through debilitating chronic illness.”
Then came the direct message to anyone who has treated her symptoms like an inconvenience. Matthews blasted haters who told her it was only “rashes. ” saying severe skin conditions can “completely take away your quality of life. your will to live. and leave lasting effects on every part of your life.”.
She added that looking back through the videos is “super triggering. ” even as it shows what recovery can look like: “healing is possible.” She recalled being at “absolute lowest mentally and physically” with her health. saying she remembers it “like it was yesterday. ” and that she “would’ve begged to be where I’m at today.”.
The stakes, for her, aren’t abstract. Matthews also shared that she’s experienced chronic eczema since childhood. She suspects other symptoms began after she got breast implants in March of 2023. She went public about her illness the following year. during filming for season one of the Hulu series. saying she was “fighting for my life.”.
As flare-ups have continued, Matthews says she spends more time in Hawaii with her family and away from her house in Utah. She fears that her home environment might be contributing to the issues.
Her post lands with a mix of anger at the dismissiveness and gratitude for progress. She ended by writing that she’s “so so grateful for the progress and continued healing,” while making clear the comments she’s received have only added pressure while she’s trying to get better.
For a reality star accustomed to public scrutiny, the emotional core of her Instagram update is simple: chronic illness shouldn’t be treated like it’s no big deal.
Mikayla Matthews Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Instagram drag path CIRS chronic inflammatory response syndrome chronic eczema breast implants March 2023 Hulu season one Hawaii Utah